The dates have been set for our 2012 West and East Coast Training Camps. Emails have been sent to all of our members so plan now for some great training in 2012.
As each camp is completed, we invite you to return to our weblog to read up on what happened and the great time we had. Our annual camps are always looked forward to with great excitement and 2012 promises to be a phenomenal time.
Our final day was met with a variety of activities. From finishing up the finer points of Siu-Nim-Tau and Chum-Kiu to working Chi-sau and Lap-sau, we also saw three members being promoted.
After testing, we embarked on Lat-sau, or Free-fight practice. Lat-sau is a bit unnerving at first because everything goes and there are very few rules. Naturally we try to keep things safe to a point, but we also try to keep it as realistic as possible so that we can see what is working well and what needs more attention.
Everyone walked away with a few things to work on and that is always the best thing. We all can improve our responses in one way or another, so it is a great learning experience.
As the session ended, it was time to pack up and head home. After all of our goodbyes, I was off to PIA and another round of “interesting” airline issues. Long story short, I did not get to go to Vegas with a connecting flight; instead, I was fortunate enough to get a direct flight back to Phoenix and home about 3 hours earlier than planned.
I want to thank everyone who attended this year’s camp. Despite the grueling activities, you pushed yourselves hard and made it through it. It was pleasure to see familiar faces and meet some new ones, and I know we are all looking forward to the next camp in Phoenix.
Today’s session was met with some groans, sighs, and stiff bodies head to toe. Yesterday was not so bad when we left, but after an evening to let it all set in, we all showed up a bit less-than-chipper. Enthusiastic, most certainly, but definitely not fresh. However, that was not going to stop us from getting the most out of our time and today was no exception.
Picking up where we left off, sections 2 and 3 of Siu-Nim-Tau were finished up and now everyone in attendance is familiar with this essential form and its curriculum. After working these sections for about 90 minutes, I put them in specific drills and the Chum-Kiu level members embarked on the finer points of Chum-Kiu section 3.
Lots of kicking, balance maintenance, how to stay relaxed, how to stabilize the body, and also how to drive power through each kick was explored via Ching-sun-gerk and Che-chang-gerk. Lin-wan-gerk (Chain-kicking) was also explored, as well as working multiple kicks high and low with B.O.B. was put into practice.
After sufficiently exhausting everyone, we put in a lot of time learning how to defend against the most powerful of roundhouse kicks via Sheung-har Gaun-sau. Likewise, the Chum-Kiu members learned the key points for learning this same defense but with Wang-bo-dai Bong-sau. It was tough to get through these sessions but we kept pushing on.
The scheduled second grappling/take down/ground fighting session was altered a bit (ok, a lot) mainly because 1) it was not absolutely essential to the curriculum, and 2) I knew everyone was starting to feel the exhaustion and I felt it would be time better spent by working true curriculum-only actions. It was a good decision because I pushed everyone to the limit of being tired just by standing (myself included).
After working how to fall and how to condition your abs the Wing Chun way, we then embarked on responses of how to respond when an attacker feints up and then drives down for a double leg take down. By rolling with the opponent, almost everyone got to experience first-hand how valuable this skill is and what it can do for them should they ever encounter this scenario.
Continuing with Lead-arm Defense Drills and using Jeet-gerk, to working Tut-sau, more Lat-sau, and Chi-sau sections 2 & 3 (plus freeing things up to get softer, faster, and more responsive), I know that resuming a lot of this tomorrow will become a mainstay for everyone’s training in the months to come. By the time the April camp in Phoenix rolls around, I am expecting everyone to really bring even more to the table by way of faster, more responsive (and correct/effective) actions. I am very much looking forward to what they do with these actions in the months ahead.
As for me, I am quite exhausted and headed to bed. The sad thing is that it is only 9:30pm here (6:30pm in Phoenix). Tomorrow starts all over again, plus the long trip back home. I won’t get back until approx. 9:30pm Phoenix time so because of that, you will not see a Day 3 synopsis until sometime Monday. I am sure that when I get home and get to see my wife again, the training, trip, and being home will keep me from signing on and writing up a synopsis.
I am sure you understand. 
Until Monday…
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